Device for winding yarn packages



oct. 1s, 1966 s, FRST 3,273,713l

DEVICE FOR WINDING YARN PACKAGES Filed July 27. 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 18, 1966 5, FURST DEVICE FORKWINDING YARN PACKAGES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 27, 1964 United States Patent 3,279,713 DEVICE FOR WHNDING YARN PACKAGES Stefan Frst, Manchen-Gladbach, Germany, asslgnor to Walter Reiners Filed July 27, 1964, Ser. No. 385,379 Claims priority, application Germany, Aug. 3, 1963, R 35,830 3 Claims. (Cl. 242-18) My invention relates to a device for producing crosswound packages of yarn, such as cheese or cones.

In order to produce the crosswise helical turns of such packages, the yarn, as it runs onto the takeup `spool to form the package, is being reciprocated axially along the package. Due to the reciprocating motion, it may happen that in the event of yarn interruption, such as when the yarn breaks or the supply is depleted, the loose yarn end will fling laterally over the axial ends of the package and then form so-called throw-offs or drop-off turns. This makes it diicult and time-consuming to subsequently seek and seize the yarn. Particularly in winding machines equipped with automatic yarn seeking and knotting devices, the proper continuance of oper-ation is then possible in most cases only upon intervention of attending personnel.

For eliminating drop-off turns it has been proposed to apply currents of air which entrain the loose end of yarn and return it to the peripheral surface of the package. It has been found that this method is not always successful especially when the yarn is rough.

The occurrence of drop-off turns can also be reduced by mounting fixed travel limiting stops on both sides of the yarn-guiding drum for the purpose of guldmg the loose yarn end toward the middle of the drum. It has been observed, however, that in the event of yarn interruption the loose end may ing upwardly at a speed much higher than the normal yarn travel speed. One of the reasons for this phenomenon is the fact that the sudden drop in yarn tension due to the interruption of the yarn will release a considerable amount of kinetic energy stored in the previously taut yarn on account of its elasticity, so that the yarn :behaves as a rubber band which, when tensioned and thereafter released, will whip at very high speed toward the point where it is held fast. With the known travel limiting stops therefore, it cannot be avoided that the yarn will whip through the space between the yarn guiding drum and the limiting stops if the yarn breaks at a moment when it just happens to be guided toward close proximity to a reversing point of its reciprocating stroke.

This detrimental behavior of the yarn can be avoided, according to another disclosure, by mounting a yarn deector edge in front of the travel limiting stop and in such a location that the loose end of yarn in the event of interruption flings upwardly past the limiting stops so that the portion of yarn located between the guiding drum and the stops is caught at the inward edges of one of the stops and thereby guided toward the middle of the drum. It has been observed that the yarn 4may sometimes break at a relatively large distance from the deiiecting edge and that in such cases, the upwardly whipping end of yarn may become entangled with the jour# nalling frame of the takeup spool or with the spool holders or other machinery parts, so that the sources of trou- 'ble are not fully eliminated.

It is an object of my invention to reliably prevent the occurrence of drop-off turns in yam-package winding devices generally of the above-mentioned type, and to also eliminate all of the shortcomings of the above-mentioned other methods and devices.

According to the invention, the kinetic energy of the yarn released in the event of yarn breakage or yarn ice depletion, is consumed and thereby destroyed at a locality ahead ofthe yarn guiding means for reciprocating the' on-coming yarn along the package being wound, regardless of Whether the yarn guiding means is designed as a grooved guiding drum or as a reciprocating guide lever or the like. The kinetic energy of the yarn released in the event of yarn interruption can be consumed by friction or by causing the yarn end to impinge upon an abutment surface.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, I provide a yarn-package winding device with a fixed braking structure near the yarn guide that reciprocates the oncoming yarn as it passes onto the package. The braking structure is provided with a constriction normally traversed by the travelling yarn but out of frictional engagement therewith as long as the yarn is kept taut on its normal travel path, so that the constriction imposes an energy-consuming frictional effect upon the yarn only when the yarn tension is relaxed in the event of yarn breakage or yarn depletion.

According to another, preferred feature of the invention, the just-mentioned constriction is constitutedy by a slot which extends substantially parallel to the plane determined by the stroke reversing points of the yarn reciprocating motion. It is of advantage to provide the slotted guide on one side, preferably on both sides, with an abutment which is nearly touched by the yarn as it reaches the respective reversing points,so that the abutments prevent the yarn from inging laterally beyond the normal range of the reciprocating stroke.

The slotted braking structure may consist of a sheet member or of a wire bent to a corresponding loop shape or the like. In each case, it is of advantage to provide the upper edge of the slot with an opening through which the yarn can be entered into the guide slot, if desired automatically.

The slotted member may also be so designed that the upper and lower edges of the slot are offset from each other so that at least one edge is displaced from the plane or surface of the sheet member. It remains essential, however, that the vertical distance from the yarn to the edges of the slot be as small as is compatible with the requirement that the slot is not to affect the travel of the yarn during normal winding operation.

As mentioned, the kinetic energy of the yarn released in the event of yarn intenruption may also be consumed and made ineffective by causing the yarn end to impinge and bounce upon an abutment surface. It is preferable to provide a deflect-ing edge ahead of the abutment surface and in such a position that the geometric extension of the yarn travel path points onto the abutment surface. As .a result, the loose yarn end, in the event of yarn interruption, whips in an aimed and predetermined direction -onto the abutment surface where the liberated kinetic energy is consumed by bouncing and friction. It is particularly advantageous to have a guide surface adjacent to the deflecting edge and pointing in the direction of the yarn guiding means. Furthermore, the abutment surface is preferably arranged in spaced relation tothe just-mentioned guiding surface so as to form an intermediate slot, which, in the event of yarn interruption, becomes effective in the above-described manner to consume kinetic energy by friction, thus augmenting the effect of the abutment surface.

The invention will be further described wit-h reference to embodiments of yarn package winding devices according to the invention illustrated by way of example on the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows schematically a side elevati-on of a winding device.

FIG. 2 shows the same side elevation at a moment of yarn breakage.

FIG. 3 is a front View of t-he device according to FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation of a modified embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows schematically a side elevation of still another embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment in side elevation; and

FIG. 7 shows a detail of FIG. 6 in section.

According to FIGS. l and 3, a yarn package 1 being wound rests upon the peripheral surface of a yarn guiding drum whose shaft is driven at constant speed during winding operation so that the yarn package is frictionally entrained at constant peripheral speed. The yarn F, coming from a supply coil (not illustrated) and passing through conventional auxiliary means, such as a yarn cleaner and a yarn tensioner (both not illustrated), runs over a xed yarn guide G which, together with ythe guiding drum 2, defines a normal yarn path on which the yarn travels through a guiding groove of the drum 2 onto the package 1. The guiding groove extends about and Aalong the drum periphery in form of a close-d loop so as to reciprocate the oncoming yarn between `two positions F' and F (FIG. 3) as the yarn runs onto the package. With respect to further details not essential to the present invention, reference may be had to my Patent 3,092,340, if desired.

A slotted brak-ing member 3 of arcuate shape is fixedly mounted in front of the guiding dr-um 2 and in proximity thereto. The yarn F (FIG. 1) passes through a slot 4 of the member 3. The slot extends parallel to the drum axis or, more generally, parallel to a generatrix of the guiding drum (which may have a conical shape in the event the device is used for producing conical packages). During winding operation, the yarn moves back and forth along the slot 4 (FIG. 3), but the slot is just wide enough for free passage of the yarn which does not touch the upper and lower edges of the slot. Consequently, during normal winding operation, t-he brake member 3 has no effect upon the preformance.

This changes, however, in the event of yarn interruption. Thus FIG. 2 shows the yarn F at the moment of yarn breakage. The sudden drop in tension permits the elastic yarn to relax so that additional kinetic energy is released. 'I'his energy, however, is consumed by the friction which now occurs in the slot 4 of the braking member 3 due to the fact that the yarn will now become wavy or curly, and the guide slots is so narrow that the waves or curls will rub against the edges of the slot.

As will be seen from FIG. 3, the slotted guide member 3 forms Itwo abutments at 5 and 6 which in this embodiment, are constituted by the respective ends of the slot The position of the abutments is determined by the reversing points of the yarn reciprocating movement so lthat the yarn, in its limit positions F and F', will almost touch the respective abutments. This prevents the yarn from being laterally flung out Vof the normal travel range. The upper edge of the slot 4 communicates with a marginal recess 7 in the sheet member 3 through which the yarn can be entered into the slot 4. For smooth yarns the width of the slot 4 may be slightly larger than the yarn diameter. For rough yarns, the slot width may be somewhat larger.

In'the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 the width of the slot 4 in the sheet member is -considerably larger than the yarn diameter. However, the member 3 is positioned at s-uch an angle to the yarn path that the vertical distance from the yarn to the edges of the slot 4 remains sufficiently slight to secure the required high amount of friction of the relaxed yarn in the event of yarn interruption. l

As mentioned above, .the edges of the slot may be offset from each other. This is the case in the embodiment of FIG. 5 which in lother respects corresponds to that of FIG. 4. That is, according to FIG. 5 the edges of the slot are not located above one another but laterally of each other. However, the edges remain spaced from the yarn to such a slight extent that t-he yarn, when taut during normal winding operations, can pass through without hindrance but is subjected to braking friction when relaxed and wavy or curly on account of yarn breakage or depletion of a s-upply coil.

`In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the additional kinetic energy of the yarn occurring in the event of yarn interruption is destroyed by causing the yarn to bounce upon an abutment surface. The yarn F passes from its normal path over a deflector edge 8 which is preferably rounded as shown and which is inclined with respect to the preceding yarn travel path Iso that the extension 9 of this path, shown by :a broken line, points upon the abutment surface 10. From the dellecting edge 8 the yarn passes over a Aguide surface 11 which points toward the yarn guiding drum. Thence the yarn travels through the guiding slot of the drum onto the yarn package in the same manner as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3. When the yarn breaks or the supply coil becomes exhausted, the suddenly released kinematic energy causes the yarn to Whip upwardly in the direction of the broken line 9 so that it hit-s against the abutment surface 10 where it is subjected to repeated bouncing with the result of consuming the energy. i

The abutment surface 10 is spaced from the guiding surface 11 a slight amount so as to form an intermediate slot 12 through which the yarn passes. This slot is given a design and extent corresponding to the slot 4 in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 5. Consequently, the abovedescribed consumption of energy by the bouncing action on the abutment surface is supplemented by the frictional bnaking effect produced by the edges of slot 10. It is preferable to provide the slot 12 with lateral abutments whose position is determined by the reversing points of the yarn reciprocation as explained with reference to abutments S and 6 shown in FIG. 3. The abutment surface 10 may be provided with an opening, preferably in the middle of its longitudinal extent, so that the yarn can be inserted between the `abutment surface 10 and the guiding drum I1.

FIG. 7, showing a detail of FIG. 6. presents more clearly how the yarn F, which prior to yarn interruption passes along the line 13 over the guiding surface 11 and through `the slot, will become curled upon occurrence of yarn breakage and will then whip against the abutment surface in the direction of the arrow 9.

By thus eliminating the kinetic energy released in the event of yar-n breakage or depletion of the y-arn supply, the invention reliably prevents the loose end of yarn from being laterally thrown off the yarn package and to form .lost turns on the end faces or the core of the package. By providing the above-mentioned lateral abutments in the braking slot, this effect is considerably aided. If desired, the above-mentioned known limit stops, located more closely adjacent to the guiding drum than the braking device according to the invention, may also be provided in lien of or in addition to the abutments for aiding the energy consuming device according to the invention in the desired elimination of thrown-off turns. Such limit stops are shown and described in my Patent 3,136,495.

Upon a study of this disclosure, it will be obvious to those skilled in the `art that my invention permits of various modifications and can be given embodiments other than particularly illustrated and described herein, without departing from the essential features of my invention and within the Iscope of the claims annexed hereto.

I claim:

1. A yam-package winding device comprising a movable yarn guide for reciprocating the oncoming yarn as it passes onto the package being wound, la fixed braking structure mounted near said yarn guide and transversely of the path of the oncoming yarn, said structure having an abutment surface located adjacent an edge of a transverse slot formed in said structure and extending over the length of the yarn reciprocating travel and the yarn traveling in -a first path whose geometrical extension intersects with said abutment surface, said structure having a deector edge for deflecting the ya-rn to a se-cond path transverse to said first path, said slot edge being normally spaced from the yarn and engageable by the yarn at any point along said transverse lslot when the yarn is relaxed due to yarn interruption, whereby kinetic energy released by such interruption is consumed by braking action of said structure.

2. A yarn-package winding device comprising a movable yarn guide for reciprocating the oncoming yarn as it passes onto the package being wound, a fixed braking structure mountednear said yarn yguide and transversely of the path of the oncoming yarn, Isaid structure having an abutment surface located adjacent .an edge of a transverse slot formed in said structure and extending over the length of the yarn reciprocating travel and having a deflector edge in the yarn path for dellecting the yarn away from a travel direction toward said abutment surface, said slot edge being normally spaced lfrom the yarn and engageable by the yarn at iany point along said transverse slot when the yarn is relaxed due to yarn interruption, whereby kinetic energy released by such interruption is consumed by braking action of said structure, wherein said yarn deecting edge extends transverse to the yarn path and is engageable by the oncoming yarn ahead of said movable yarn guide, the geometric extension of said yarn path beyond said deflecting edge being in a direction radially spaced from said yarn guide, and said abutment surface extends parallel to said edge and is spaced therefrom farther ahead of said yarn guide, said geometric extension being directed onto said abutment surface, whereby the end of the yarn in the event of yarn break-age and depletion will Whip in said direction Iagainst said abutment surface :for consumption of kinetic energy then released in the yarn.

3. Yarn-package winding device according to claim 1, wherein said slot is defined by a side of said abutment surface Iand a surface of said structure which is a lateral extension of said dellector edge.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS STANLEY N. GILREATH, Primary Examiner. 

1. A YARN-PACKAGE WINDING DEVICE COMPRISING A MOVABLE YARN GUIDE FOR RECIPROCATING THE ONCOMING YARN AS IT PASSES ONTO THE PACKAGE BEING WOUND, A FIXED BRAKING STRUCTURE MOUNTED NEAR SAID YARN GUIDE AND TRANSVERSELY OF THE PATH OF THE ONCOMING YARN, SAID STRUCTURE HAVING AN ABUTMENT SURFACE LOCATED ADJACENT AN EDGE OF A TRANSVERSE SLOT FORMED IN SAID STRUCTURE AND EXTENDING OVER THE LENGTH OF THE YARN RECIPROCATING TRAVEL AND THE YARN TRAVELING IN A FIRST PATH WHOSE GEOMETRICAL EXTENSION INTERSECTS WITH SAID ABUTMENT SURFACE, SAID STRUCTURE HAVING 